Development plans for Nenagh sites
Plans are progressing for new development on the outskirts of Nenagh at Lisbunny Industrial Estate and Stereame.
However, a local authority meeting last week also heard that up to 40 acres of land in Nenagh are to be dezoned under the new County Development Plan, prompting calls for a special meeting on the situation.
Two key sites where Tipperary Co Council acquired land in recent years were discussed at last week's meeting of Nenagh Municipal District. At Lisbunny Industrial Estate, school lunch provider The Lunch Bag is seeking planning permission to extend the facility that it established in 2020.
District Director Marcus O'Connor said the The Lunch Bag is currently employing around 130 people in Nenagh and seeking to significantly increase this number. The council is looking to improve the appearance of the estate so as to attract further industrial investment. It has taken charge of the road in the estate and would be seeking to link it with the Old Birr Road. Mr O'Connor said the council would further look to upgrade the Riverside Walk, which has also been acquired.
Cllr John Carroll had previously called for action on the dislodged concrete bollards at the entrance to the estate. He said the estate in general - where planning permission has been granted for a major film studio development - needs to be further enhanced.
Cllr Hughie McGrath said a connection with the Old Birr Road would be very welcome in taking traffic away from the old turnpike junction on Ormond St. He also believed it possible for the council to extend a footpath out the Old Birr Road. This would improve safety for people walking out to the pitch & putt club and nursing home, Cllr McGrath said.
STEREAME TENDER
Cllr Séamie Morris inquired about the tender for residential development at Stereame, which was floated by Tipperary Co Council late last year.
Mr O'Connor said the council did receive applications and is presently engaging in detailed negotiations, which would hopefully have a satisfactory outcome. He said the successful applicant would have to seek planning permission through the normal planning process, and that the council is keen to move the matter along as quickly as possible.
Cllr Morris welcomed this progress and asked to be kept updated. He said there is potential to build 230 houses at Stereame. But, having attended a workshop on the County Development Plan, he expressed concern that up to 40 acres of land in Nenagh would be dezoned.
“This will surprise people,” Cllr Morris said, putting the reason down to a National Development Plan based on 2016 population trends and “totally out of kilter with reality”. He said the results of the new population census should be awaited before any new development plan is agreed to.
“We're boxing ourselves into serious trouble here,” Cllr Morris said, describing it as "lunancy" to dezone land for development when there is such a shortage of housing.
MEETING REQUIRED
Cllr Michael O'Meara said there are "a lot of fears" surrounding the County Development Plan that need to be alleviated at a meeting. In agreement, Cllr Ger Darcy said a meeting is needed with sole focus on the local district rather than including south Tipperary.
Senior Planner Carmel Daly said a review of the Nenagh Local Area Plan would commence after the passing of the County Development Plan. While there was no timeline for the review, Nenagh would be one of the first plans looked at, Ms Daly said.